Hi.  Following the eminent authoritiy on early 19th century terminology,
Patrick O'Brien, who wrote all those Capt. Jack Aubrey naval novels,
"Jemmie Ducks" is the name of the sailor or non-commissioned sailor's wife
(and usually the wife) who took care of the poultry on board His Majesty's
naval ships.  When it was a female, she also looked after the very young
men (10-13) who were midshipmen.  If O'Brien said it, it must be
true.  Plus this goes well with Carol Serr's information.

At 07:02 PM 11/11/2004, you wrote:
>I have a question about a woman's name which might be descriptive or maybe
>a noun. Other than with reference to mules or donkeys (and I think that's
>spelled jenny?), has anyone out there heard of historical period women
>being referred to as "Jennies"? Anyone know if "Jennie" was a slang or
>common word for perhaps a female servant, or was commonly applied to women
>who had no last name, circa 1860? Kinda like Jane Doe?
>
>Anne Stoll
>Statistical Research, Inc.
>P.O. Box 390
>Redlands, CA 92373

Mr. Leslie C. "Skip" Stewart-Abernathy, Ph.D.
Arkansas Archeological Survey
P.O. Box 8706, Russellville, AR 72801
479 968-0381